Improved food safety to intensify Ukraine’s exports to the EU

High quality agricultural products is an essential precondition for improving Ukraine’s exports to the EU.

For the last 2 years the EU Twinning project “Supporting Ukraine in approximating its phytosanitary legislation and administration with European standards” was helping Ukraine in this by coordinating its phytosanitary standards with the EU.

On September 10 the Project reported about its achievements at the final conference. Project manager Gerhard Hyunderman, Vice President of Institute of Julius Kyuna, believes that his project has a direct impact on the agricultural sector, gardening and forestry. It helped the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service of Ukraine in providing more effective state protection from bringing and spreading pests and ensures compliance with phytosanitary requirements of EU. “As a result, agricultural trade at the national and international levels and safety of products will increase, which will have a significant impact on the economy“.

“The completion of the project is a step to convergence with the EU. We must ensure the safety of domestic products to every citizen of EU Member States“, – Igor Shvaika, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, said during a conference. He believes that Europeans are interested in agricultural sector of our country and implementation of a numbers of technical assistance projects in this sector proves this.

Antje Frese, Chief experts of International projects Twinning noted that project developed key legislative recommendations for harmonization with EU standards, created manuals for Ukrainian experts, held thematic seminars for representatives of various levels – from legislators to laboratory professionals. Ukrainian experts held a two-weeks internships in EU countries (France, Germany, Lithuania and Latvia).

Background: Projects Twinning “Supporting Ukraine in approximating it’s phytosanitary legislation and administration with European standards”contributed to the development of administrative reforms based on the best European and international practice. The project started on September 18, 2012 with the participation of countries such as Germany, France, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine. It aimed at implementing institution building and helped countries within the program of European Neighbourhood and Partnership.

The Twinning project –it is a project that aims to support the EU’s neighbors in the adoption of EU norms and standards and the development of necessary institutional capacity. Experts from the administrations of the Member States transmit their knowledge and experience in the implementation of EU legislation to their colleagues in partner countries.